missle technologies, some of them with a range to hit population centers in europe. so we want to protect our population against that real threat. >> rose: an attackn any nato country an attack on all nato countries? >> exactly. that is stated that we consider an attack on one ally an attack on all. and on september 12, 2001, we invoked that famous article for the first time in the history of our alliance. we considered the terrorist attacks on the united states an attack on the whole alliance and actually that's the reason why we are in afghanistan today. >> rose: where do we stand now? u.s. withdrawal is scheduled to end by 2014. what's the schedule for nato countries if it differs? >> it's the same. we have outlined a clear road map for a gradual handover of responsibility to the afghan security forces. that's a nato and i.s.a.f. decision. we have 50 countries in our i.s.a.f. coalition. 28 nato allies and 22 partners. and we have agreed on a road map according to which we will gradually hand over lead responsibility to the afghans. they will take full responsibili